As Red Sox go for first 10-game win streak since 2018, Wilyer Abreu the odd man out

BOSTON — As the Red Sox close out the (unofficial) first half of their season Sunday against the Rays, they’ll look to do something they haven’t done since their last championship season.

Boston has won nine in a row and is looking for its first 10-game win streak since July 2-12, 2018, which coincidentally also started at Nationals Park. The Red Sox have won 11 of their last 12 and are 23-11 in their last 34 games to get to seven games above .500. On Sunday, they’ll look to finish off a four-game sweep of the Rays before the All-Star break.

Wilyer Abreu is the odd man out in the outfield picture and won’t start. With Alex Bregman back at third base after sitting Saturday, Marcelo Mayer is at second base and Ceddanne Rafaela is back in his normal position (center field). Roman Anthony is in right field and Jarren Duran is in left. Romy Gonzalez gets the start at first base and Connor Wong is catching.

Boston will look for another solid start from Brayan Bello, who after a complete game win over the Rockies on Tuesday, has a 2.78 ERA in his last seven games (six starts) dating back to June 3.

First pitch is at 1:35 p.m. ET.

TAMPA BAY RAYS (50-46) @ BOSTON RED SOX (52-45) · FENWAY PARK · BOSTON, MA · GAME 98

FIRST PITCH: 1:35 p.m. ET

TV CHANNEL: NESN / MLB Network (out of market)

RADIO: WEEI 93.7 FM

PITCHING PROBABLES: RHP Ryan Pepiot (6-6, 3.32 ERA) vs. RHP Brayan Bello (5-3, 3.27 ERA)

RED SOX LINEUP:

1) LF Jarren Duran

2) 3B Alex Bregman

3) RF Roman Anthony

4) DH Masataka Yoshida

5) SS Trevor Story

6) CF Ceddanne Rafaela

7) 2B Marcelo Mayer

8) 1B Romy Gonzalez

9) C Connor Wong

RAYS LINEUP:

1) CF Chandler Simpson

2) 1B Jonathan Aranda

3) DH Yandy Díaz

4) LF Jake Mangum

5) RF Josh Lowe

6) 3B Junior Caminero

7) C Matt Thaiss

8) SS Ha-Seong Kim

9) 2B Taylor Walls